There are certain questions you should never ask your tattoo artist. For example, you should never ask your tattoo artist to negotiate on the price or copy another artist's work.
So, general public, here are four things to keep in mind when you're interacting with tattooed people – and especially tattooed women – to strike a balance: to show appreciation, but not offend; to ask appropriate questions, but not overwhelm; to start a conversation that's genuine, not selfish.
Stupid ideas, indecisiveness, expecting free work (including expectations of original art), vague descriptions, haggling for price, being late to an appointment, /whining/ about pain, any question to the effect of ``is this permanent?
For every $100 spent on the tattoo most would say $20-$25 but I think most artists agree there is a reasonable limit to that. Probably anything over a $250 tip for one's days worth of tattooing might be unnecessary however greatly appreciated.
As with tipping waitstaff, 20-25% percent is a good standard. An easy way to include tipping in your budget is to add it in when getting the estimated costs for having your work done. So, if your tattoo is expected to cost $200, with a 20-percent tip, that's $240.
Tattooing minors, offensive hate symbols, or copyrighted designs without permission are examples of requests that can be legally refused.
Negotiating or Criticizing the Tattoo Price
 This one is at the top of the absolute worst tattoo shop etiquette. Don't negotiate the price. Tattoo artists will always quote you beforehand based on their time and the size of the tattoo.
Also known as the quincunx, the four dots on the outside represent four walls, with the fifth on the inside representing the prisoner. This tattoo can be found internationally, among both American and European inmates. The dots are typically found on an inmate's hand, between the thumb and forefinger.
“Can my children sit with me while I get tattooed?” – Unless you're speaking about adult children, no. “Where can my dog wait while I'm getting my tattoo?” – At home. “Can you just design if for me, and I can take the art home?” – No, because you are taking the design to another studio.
However, tattooists still used the carbolic type. Phenol, also known as carbolic acid, has an unmistakable sweet and tarry odour. Phenol is an antiseptic and disinfectant that has some medical uses. Phenol was one of the first antiseptics used to sterilise medical equipment.
There's nothing wrong with asking what the hourly rate is, and for a rough estimate of how long the tattoo will take. Trying to talk them down on their rates, though, that's where it gets rude. You have to have an idea of the cost...
Skill, practice, an artistic mind, stamina, persistence, presence, reliability and consistency, an eye for detail, a steady hand, customer service, foresight, patience and a good teacher.
Tattoo Artists do not judge their clients. It is better to have doubts than to regret a tattoo you just got.
If the content of a tattoo is racist, homophobic, or problematic in some way, this is a different story. Problematic tattoos can be revealing about a person's character. They show employers what values or beliefs they might bring to a workplace.
The number one rule of getting a tattoo is to sit still. If you move, the tattoo will be blurry, and the artist will not be happy. You can do a few things to stay still during your tattoo. First, take a deep breath and try to relax.
The types of tattoos people regret most are lettering/script (19%), symbols (16%), names (12%), animal designs (10%) and tribal tattoos (9%).
Excessive Sun Exposure. Excessive sun exposure can quickly ruin a new tattoo. Especially during the first 40 days, stay out of the sun as much as possible. If you have to go outside, then make sure to cover up your fresh tattoo with clothing.
On average you can expect to charge $50-100 for a small tattoo, up to $200 for a medium tattoo and over $250 for a large tattoo.
The best rule of thumb you can follow is to tip at least 20 percent of the total cost of your service and tip even more for custom, intricate tattoo styles.